The Prayer Book Society
Analysis
The Prayer Book Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Reading. It was registered in September 2003, 23 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and religious activities, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04786973). It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Prayer Book Society reported income of £835k and spending of £554k, leaving 34% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £1.0m to £835k (-19%), an average of -5.2% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 112%. Over the whole period it spent 71% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, The Prayer Book Society sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 93rd percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of High Wycombe St Andrew (£833k), The Divine Healing Mission (£836k) and Jamme Masjid, Reading (£831k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 88%, investments 6.2%, trading 3.2% and charitable activities 2.2%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £608k. Charitable activities took 74% of spending and raising funds 9.9%. Reserves of £2.3m would cover about 41 months of spending at that rate. It employed 4 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 16%
- Legacies 73%
- Charitable activities 2.2%
- Trading 3.2%
- Investments 6.2%
In the charity's own words
Promotes use and understanding of the Book of Common Prayer centrally to worship and doctrine of the Church of England (and other Anglican tradition Churches) and its use for regular worship including main Sunday services and occasional services e.g. Baptism, Confirmation, weddings, funerals. Works to ensure that all ordinands are familiar with it and to introduce it to children and young people.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of High Wycombe St Andrew | Bucks | £833k |
| The Divine Healing Mission | Battle | £836k |
| Jamme Masjid, Reading | Berkshire | £831k |
| The Evangelical Movement of Wales | Gwynedd | £836k |